1
: any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee, bumblebee, carpenter bee, honeybee, sweat bee
2
: an eccentric notion : fancy
: the letter b
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
bachelor of electrical engineering
Synonyms
Examples of bee in a Sentence
Noun (1)
she got a sudden bee to quit her job and move to South Carolina
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
The water savings will come from replacing some of the bluegrass in the city with plants known to attract pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, said Emily Gedeon, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency.
—Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025
People will be drawn to you like bees to honey, but not everyone deserves your attention or time.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 28 Jan. 2025
It is covered with short, white flower spikes that attract birds and solitary bees from late summer into fall.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bee 
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Noun
Learn about Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles, smart irrigation, vegetable gardening, and flower species to attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
The water savings will come from replacing some of the bluegrass in the city with plants known to attract pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, said Emily Gedeon, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency.
—Elliott Wenzler, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025
People will be drawn to you like bees to honey, but not everyone deserves your attention or time.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 28 Jan. 2025
It is covered with short, white flower spikes that attract birds and solitary bees from late summer into fall.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for bee
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Cite this Entry
“Bee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bee. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bee
1 of 2 noun
: any of numerous insects (as the honeybees and bumblebees) that feed on pollen and nectar and sometimes produce honey and that differ from the wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts
bee
2 of 2 noun
: a gathering of people for a specific purpose
a quilting bee
Etymology
Noun
Old English bēo "bee"
Noun
perhaps from a dialect word been "help given by neighbors," derived from Old English bēn "prayer"
Medical Definition
bee
noun
: honeybee
broadly
: any of numerous hymenopteran insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related wasps especially in the heavier hairier body and in having sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen and nectar, and that store both and often also honey see africanized bee
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